December 19, 2012 Update

Ciao e Buon Natale

Last Sunday we had a great spirit at Samy Hamed's Baptism. He had tears in his eyes and described his emotions as a volcano. He will receive the gift of the holy ghost on Sunday and is continuing to progress. He didn't call us nuns in his testimony, but instead we have become his guardian angels. I am so happy for him. Thank you to all who prayed for him this past week. He said that he could feel your prayers. Afterwards we had an amazing ward Christmas devotional. Our bishop is very inspired and amazing. He has a young family and does so much. I have really come to love the members here.

 

Janus keeps improving and I can see that he has become happier and knows that what he is doing in right. His knowledge is growing and I has an amazing heart. His baptism will be either next week or the following. We just need to wrok around the holiday, la Befana on January 5.

Giada, a new investigator who called us has decided that she will be baptized on the 12 of January. She knows the church and Book of Mormon is true and she just has to believe in herself and quite smoking. She has promised to do it all if the world doesn't end on Friday, the 21st of December. We working to find more work, but the work we have now is going well.

We shared the Plan of Salvation with a lot of people this week to explain why the Savior is important. It has been a great testimony for me. That we celebrate this time to be together with our families and have the power of Jesus Christ in our lives. I am greatful for that presence to heal and bring joy and hope.

May the spirit of Jesus Christ be with all of you this Christmas. - S

Much love,

Slla. Lovell

2 Nephi 25:26

 

December 12, 2012 Update

Ciao a tutti!

 

First of all, I spent at least a twenty minutes looking over the 100+ photos I received from my amazing family. Thank you again! It was so fun to see all that you have been up to, especially those of the family I haven't met yet.

 

After the day of the Virgin on the 8th of december, we can officially start celebrating Christmas, complete with lights hanging across the streets and on random apartment balconies and nativities everywhere, including the grocery store. With the change of weather, there has been a lot of heavy rain, which causes the whole world to shut down. People call and ask to make sure we can make it to our appointment, which is a kind thought, yet we are enjoying the respite of the heat. It may be to the opposite extreme, as this is my first experience with humid cold. Slla. Clark and I have almost finished composing a new text to the song "Funiculli, Funiculla," the one that if you think of an Italian with pasta or pizza, he is singing that, though the text changes as we walk each day ie. "fa freddo qui, fra freddo là, fa freddo qui, fa freddo laaaaaaaaaaaà". I finally sowed up my rice baby my family sent back in July, and successfully lit the rice on fire in our microwave. No, I didn't not leave it in for longer than seven minutes. Yes, our apartment is still standing. I just learned not to put it so that it touches that random piece of cardboard-like material on the inside of the microwave (which I still don't understand why is there).

In spite of the cold, we participated in an amazing service project for all of the Rome Stake. They wanted to help serve the area around the Rome temple sight, so we spent the most part of Saturday cleaning up a park, as part of Helping Hands. There were a lot of non-members who just came to help us or stopped to ask who we were, one woman with tears in here eyes thanking for what we were doing. I loved it and had a great time simpy doing some hard work and have the blisters to prove it.

We are very excited for Samy's progress and as he passed his interview last week, his baptism will be held this Sunday at 17:00. He is doing great and is loves sharing all that he learns. He is very humble and earnest in his desire to continue on the path that he has found. He only wishes he could have found it ten years ago. He can become pretty stressed sometimes if he doesn't feel that that all is in order, but we have everything set for his baptism, so as much a possible we with set everything to go as planned. (Oh and the word for nun, suora, is very close to sister, sorella. I never expected to be called a nun, but it happens and works out fine.)

 

Our other two investigators with baptism dates are: Janus, who continues to progress. He is reading more consistently and we can see his dedication and he is still looking forward to being baptized. (His brother Dominique isn't quite as steady about working towards what he has set as a goal for being baptized.) Sabina, piano piano continues to go forward.

 

I spoke with President Kelly last night about perhaps adding two new sisters to Roma 1 another point is that we have a lot of new converts that are working with, which takes a fair amount of our time, yet we are excited about so much growth, as we will soon have two to three more. Our large area does have a lot of work to be done. He said they are hoping to have three stakes in Rome and are looking to split our ward. Rome sta fiorendo!

 

I've had prayer in my mind for the past few weeks and put together some thoughts. I know that Heavenly Father knows that which we need before we ask, yet gives us the opportunity to ask. As we pray, we take the chance to open the windows of heaven and obtain the blessings that he would give us. I find in insightful that the word for calling on the name of God is invocare, that we invoke His power when we pray with faith. We are commanded to pray for ourselves and others. We pray not to change the will of the Lord, but to discover what it is. He knows what is the best for us will help us to know that is. At the end of the day, I am grateful for what I am learning and realizing how I can improve my prayers to have a closer relationship with my Father in Heaven. Some scriptures I have found in my studies that walk through this are: Matthew 7:7-11, Alma 34:18-27, 3 Nefi 13: 3-15. One I like as a model for how to use prayer in trying times is Alma 58: 10-13. Prayers are powerful. Please keep Samy and our other investigators in your prayers this week. You are in mine.

 

Vi voglio bene,

 

Slla. Erica Lovell

December 5, 2012 Update

Ciao a tutti,

 

What an amazing week we've had! Samy accepts each commandment so quickly. We are so excited for his desire to learn more and continue on the path he has found. We've had a crazy time scheduling his baptism with the ward, but as of now it will be on the 16th at 17:00.

Janus had a bit of a time keeping the commitment to read the Book of Mormon, but miracles never cease and he is reading well now. We also discovered his older brother Dominique has not been baptized. He has some great changes that he will bring into life and is going to be sustained by his brother and mom.

A lot of work is going well with New converts, Alberto, Stefano, and especially Flor. We had a great lesson last week about why difficult things happen in our life.

Zone Conference yesterday was wonderful, complete with Christmas dinner at the mission home, including a Christmas program with Slla. Clark and Anz. Sloan as Mary and Joseph after which I sang, O Holy Night. The sorelle all got matching scarves and it was great to be together before Christmas. I can hardly believe it's really coming!

 

Speaking of which, thanks family! Your Christmas package arrived while I was at the office. I haven't had a chance to look at all of the photos, but am so excited! The Christmas tree will be going up soon! I love you all so much!

 

Amore e preghiere,

Sorella Lovell

November 28, 2012 Update

We started the festivities a little this past week, by setting up our tree. We passed our day sharing a cookie exchange and helping our mission mom wrap the presents. It went longer than we thought, so here's a little shorter thought. I know that this true. There is a sacrifice, but the more that I give all my heart to the Lord in the service of others, I see why I am here. I know that we are here to change lives. As we start the Christmas season, I'd like to invite each of you to learn more about our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that he is our older brother and with us no matter where we are. We may be far from each other during this time, but He is always right beside giving us strength, courage, and love through enabling grace. I love you all and each of the sisters with whom I am and have served.

 

Slla. Lovell

November 21, 2012 Update

Ciao Tutti!

Here we go in Rome. Our apartment is a little different now that we
are down to two sisters here, but we have taken as an excuse to
redecorate a bit, complete with the Christmas tree we just found. It
may be closer to 12 inches (ok 60 cm) then 12 feet, but I'm excited.

We have some sorting out to do still to see how our work with shape up
with two companionships, but after some long planning, I think it will
come together. Here is a quick update:

We had a successful pass for Marco at the baptism on Saturday to the
Sorelle in Roma 2 (who I’m grateful is Slla. Cojan and Slla. Teichert,
with Slla. Omar) and hope he will still go forward with his Baptism
date for December 15.

Samy keeps proving to be one of the most sincere people I have met in
Italy. He is continuing to see the increase of light in his life each
day. He started taking the lessons about two weeks ago and has already
read over 250 pages in the book of Mormon. He prayed in Arabic for the
first time at one of our lessons this past week and suddenly burst
into tears because of how meaningful those words were in his own
language. We just discovered he also lives in Roma 2, so we will help
him to find his way to that ward this week and work to make the
transition to the missionaries in that ward.

Janus continues to progress. He has such a great spirit and we. As he
is spends most of his free time playing computer games we had a great
lesson today about the Book of Mormon and he and his brother Dominique
can’t wait to read it. Their single mom, Fatimah, continues to support
them and is a great help.

Roberto Delatour is also starting to progress as we had a great lesson
on authority yesterday and he accepted a baptismal invitiation.

We have a number of people we have contacted and think that they will
become progressing investigators in the next couple days. We have a
lot of less active members that we used to see and so now hope to see
as many as we can in the holes of time between other appointments.

We are doing well in Roma 1.

It is nice to be in place for a third transfer in that there is
already a pretty comfortable feel with the members, as some continued
opportunities to work together and build relationships. Now that we
have combined work, I have a different sense feeling of
responsibility.

At the baptism on Saturday of Salvatore Taormina, was amazing. He
worked on the temple to meet the church. He ended a simple and
powerful testimony.

One Sunday, we had the opportunity to see a concert in St. Peter in
Chains, with the chains that Peter was said to have been bound in Rome
and part from his time in Jerusalem. It was like food to my soul and a
bit strange in a way to be at a concert. President Kelly wasn't able
to come, but we were excited that Slla. Kelly and Anz. and Slla.
Steuer from the Office were able to join us. We even contacted the
nephew of a Cardinal who was on his way there as well!

I am grateful for my original companion, my amazing family and any of my
friends who may be reading this, I'm grateful for you as well. :)

Much love,

Slla. Lovell

1. Whiting Family!
2. Concert in St. Peter in chains with Slla. Kelly
3. Our amazing investigator Samy from Egypt, so grateful for the
chance to know him.
4. Sabina’s 9th Birthday party with Sabina and her mom Maria Rodica–
all she wanted was to be with the missionaries.

November 14, 2012 Update

Wow! What a week. We are in a whirl wind so most of my email will have to be these pictures. Here is a quick summary:

Last week I have my first adventure being a senior companion, as we did an exchange with Slla. Ivory and Slla. Buckley from La Dispoli. All I have to say in that there was no running for buses! We had a great lesson with our Phillipine investigators, which was great for Slla. Buckley to speak in English and brought back time of being in the MTC for me.

At the end of the concert last night Slla. Miles just turned to me and said, "Think, all of these people are here because of what we put together." It was a great concert with plently of variety. From Carmelo singing pop songs about the Book of Mormon, which is something you have to hear to appreciate, to the Paredes sharing their Columbian Folk songs that had everyone dancing in their seat. Slla. Miles and I lucked out to sing an aria composed by Fratello Rossato from an opera he wrote on the Ten Virgins. It was an experience I will never forget.

So Transfers happened. Rome 1 is going down to two sisters, so Slla. Miles is headed off to Catania, taking Slla. Teichert's spot. With Slla. Heiner dying (don't you love missionary language?, a bit much at times, but...oh well.), Slla. Clark and I will stay together, combining both our work. It is strange that I have known all of my companions before serving with them (Slla. Clark served in Bari) before serving with them. I have a feeling that we are going to have a great transfer. I love the members and the investigators here are a mix that is one of a kind.

In pochi parole, I know that the church is true. We each have our own way to help invite others to come unto Christ. That hit me as Carmelo sang. No matter what our situation or profession there is a part of us that can touch the life of another and give them a desire to learn more. Never question you ability to change the course of another's destination.

As people have started calling me, here is Sorella Lovely signing off.

 

These photos are from the concert:

 

 

Here are some explanations for the photos below:

1. From St. Peter in Chains. In theory these are the chains from St. Peters time in Rome. There may not be all truth to that,but you could definately feel a special witness of the sacrifice of Peter. Serving in Rome has giving some great perks!

2.Grabbing some hot chocolate after the cathedral with Alberto our new convert.

3. The family Aranda. All I can say is they are amazing pillars of faith and pure love.

4. Our District in Roma 1!

5. Amazing Filipino investigators, Janus and his brother D.J. They are both a great fun.

 

 

 

P.S. I was actually able to talk Slla. Teichert, which was more that I had expected and was amazing. She told me some news from Taranto that I can hardly believe. Stefano Kovacs got baptized! I can't tell you the joy I felt. Their family is that much closer to being complete! He is solid and I am so happy for Stefano and Lidia and Robert.

Bus, Bus, which Bus? (Nov. 7, 2012 Update)

The entire last week from Thursday on was holiday for Santi dei Morti. All of the bus routes got deviated. Slla. Miles and I took on the adventure and set a new record with 9 buses in one day.

Our concert is really coming together. We are working with a professor from a conservatory in Rome that was Slla. Miles neighbor in La Dispoli. He is a riot, but has asked students and professionals to take part. It looks like it has great promise and is going to be November 13 at 16:30-18:30. Slla. Miles actually studied the flute at BYU and we have a professional composer, Fll. Rossato, (who actually wrote one of the Italian hymns) in our ward. It's always a bit exciting to see how everything will come together, but here we go!

Rossana has been having some low slumps emotionally, we aren't sure how much of our message it making it through to her, but we know that she feels the spirit when we are there, especially when we sing. Anything that has to do with the family helps her feel safer with her concerns for her son.

Cristina had a great lesson on the Plan of Salvation and said that she felt a great happiness from this special care from our Father. She had read in the Book of Mormon and really feels that it helps us come to know Christ. We just need to help her feel that it also has to be important enough for her to keep meeting with us as she is looking for work.

Janus, a 17 year old boy from the Phillipines, doesn't speak any Italian and so is hesitent to leave the house. He is very shy, but very sweet. His mom is less active, so he only went to primary as a child. When we asked about Jesus Christ, he responded that He is his hero. He was excited to get the Book of Mormon and I can't wait to help him learn more.

Sandro, feels that he knows there is a God, through an amazing connection with nature, but wants to have the certainty that we have. He asks great questions during our lessons and wants to bring his family to meet us!

Fratello D'Angelo came to church again this week and was a force of happiness in whatever room he entered. He was so excited to be there and took on each aspect with vigor. Almost each time we saw each other, he would say our inside word from one of his first lessons. "Gioia!"

All in all our work is going really great. We have worked on extending invites more quickly and are seeing great success. We now want to better emphasize the power that people will feel and the opportunity they have to come to church in making a difference in their life.
Part of this week we had a split with a GANZ from Rome 5, Alessandra. She has an amazing spirit and is so ready to serve a mission. It was her first time going out with the missionaries and was a great opportunity to direct her eager efforts.
I learn more each day and have been very grateful for this time to serve with Slla. Miles. I have seen many witnesses that President was inspired to put us together.

Here are my scriptures of the week: 2 Nefi 2: 20-21.

Slla. Lovell

October 31st, 2012 Update

Ciao tutti,

Happy Halloween! I hope that you all have a great time
trick'r'treating It's not as big of a holiday here, but we'll see how
it goes with the day of the dead tomorrow.

What an amazing week this has been! Alberto, a nw convert from Rome 1,
received the Aaronic priesthood this last Sunday. It was an amazing
experience to feel that the priesthood is that much stronger and the
spirit filled the room.

It had felt like doors have been closing latetly, but we have have
more people to teach in the past week then we have had time to fill,
including 4 new investigators, which means a lot of baptismal invites.
Many of these people it feels that they are finding us, sometimes
literally stopping us. The Lord knows how to put us in the right
place.

An amazing part of the week was a meeting with Anz. and Slla. Kruegar
the Senior missionaries here. They are have put together a program on
the scriptures and the atonement that is amazing!

Also, Slla. Miles and I have been working to put together a concert
for the past month and the date has been set! It's coming up on the
14th of November. I love being able to share the spirit through music
and this is going to be amazing. I will keep you updated. Our ward
here is amazing and very warm. It's going to be a great hit for people
to come to the church.

Life is beautiful and I hope you enjoy the great fall weather!

Love and prayers,

Sorella Lovell

October 24, 2012 Update

Ciao a Tutti!

Georgia has made it clear that she is not ready to see us right now. We went to see her and heard her on the other side of the door, but no one answered. It was hard to see her make this choice, but she just is not willing to consider that having a companion is wrong.

Cristine almost left as well, but her relationship with Hanim Shakir allowed us to have one more lesson. We brought it back to the basics and focused on the Savior and showed how the Book of Mormon applies in her life. She was very touched. That built to a lesson yesterday on the plan of salvation that with a member that was just filled with the spirit. Slla. Tapia bore an amazing testimony and She was really touched to think of life as a time to learn and the loving nature of God.

Rossana is well over seventy, but loves reading the Book of Mormon. She prayed at the end of her lesson, which was great a first for her.

Fratello D'Angelo came to church! It has been years, and we were so excited. 

Fiametta still does what she can.

We want to focus on working more with members and focusing on asking more referals. They are such a great opportunity to have relationships.

I have been spending a lot of time reading the book of mormon and I love the special experiences. . A couple versus I love: Mosia 7:18-19, 33. I've been studying the atonement everyday and have asked a different question each day. I love this time to study.

I translated in Primary this last week for the teachers and kids. I thought of all the good times you have put into the primary. We have the U.S. Embassy in our ward and even had a Thanksgiving dinner last week. A little early I know, but still great. I have spent a lot of time sharing the picture of our family on the bus, and my entire english class and just have to that they all love it. It has been great to be able share the people I love most with those I meet.

The church is true!

I love you all!

Sorella Lovell

October 17, 2012 Update

Zone Conference is just amazing everytime. I love the time to learn and to see other missionaries. Slla. Kelly shared more of the History of the mission in Italy. It definately is true that Italy sta fiorendo as we say, which means, is flowering. There have been many miracles to bring this about. We also spoke a lot about preparing for all the new missionaries that will be coming. It means a lot to hear how much confience and trust he has in us. It will be a great adventure and we are so excited. I love a quote he shared, that change is a part of life and if we choose to be frustrated by change, then we are going to choose to have a frustrated life. However, it is truly one of the most incredible part of life that we can change. It is there for us to ask Jesus Christ to come help us change. I love hearing the testimonies of missionaries before they go home. To hear of their insights and how they have changed. We each hold the same ability. Elder Christiansen has said that there are times in our life when we are

On our way from Zone Conference, we were actually able to go by the temple site. They say that the walls may be complete by the end of the month. There is an excitement here as we work to encourage the members to prepare for the completion of the temple. There is a power in the temple. For every block of the temple that is laid, the power of Satan dimishes on the earth. I can't

We had a baptism this last Sunday of a little boy in our ward and it made me think of Karlie's baptism coming up.

Georgia seems to have decided to have conflicting feelings over her companion and the experiences she has had. She had her son call us tell her that she never wants to see us again. She knows that the Book of Mormon comes from God and loves how she feels when we are there. We have had so many amazing lessons with her that we hope giving her some time will make it possible for us to meet again.

 

Rossana is over eighty years old and so sweet. She has a short attention span in lessons, but has started reading the Book of Mormon between our lessons. Her grandson was born prenatal and grew in the hospital. Her family is everything to her, so she has a lot of anxiety over this. However, she recognizes that reading the Book of Mormon helps her to feel calm and peaceful. Through all of this, she has agreed to a baptismal date for December 15th. She needs to talk with her son, who we hope to meet soon, and we hope that it will all work out. She calls us her granddaughters and loves seeing us.

Fratello D'Angelo was ready to come to church, but thought that we were coming to pick him up.... We have made double sure that he knows the Anziani are set to pick him up this week. He showed his website that has a whole page for the church. We spoke about general conference and invited him to watch a talk. He immediately wanted to add the link to his wesite. He is great to share what the church through his own way.

Fiametta is so faithful, reading her scriptures everyday and come to church whenever she doesn't have work at the hospital, and has such a desire to go to the temple. The only part is her companion, Manny is also a less active, who left the church after seeing people not living what they said to believe. She loves him, but we will see.

Oct. 10, 2012 Update

This has been a time learning about flexibility and taking the moments as they come. I will be staying in Rome for another transfer with Slla. Miles, which will be great as we're really starting to get a sort of rhythm worked out. It is a lot more spontaneous and seeking to follow the spirit rather having a completely planned out moment. It has come with the understanding that people can't totally be planned for. There are moments when you have the idea of what you want to share and you are prepared with that, but then you simply follow what their needs are. It has made it more real for me to look to simply see people for who and where they are, knowing that I can't always anticipate what is going to happen. All I do is prepare and then go and listen to how we can create an experience together with them rather than simply what we had planned in advance.

This has also been a great time of learning patience and understanding. Sorella Heiner is still here with Sorella Clark from Bari (I was sad to have her go, but so excited that Slla. Wagoner has the chance to serve in Bari, Puglia is just magical). She arrived in Rome last transfer with a fracture and continued to walk on it with a boot. As it hasn't healed, she has been put on crutches and has been staying home for the past week. We have been doing rotating splits everyday so that Slla. Clark still has a chance to go out some and to keep both companionships going. Being so interdependent has become an adventure, but we are really learning to rely on one another. We are working together to make it through this and to support each other. It also makes me value every moment that I have to be out even more.

General Concerference was amazing! There were so many answers to prayers given throughout the sessions. I can't say enough how greatful I am for our living prophets. As we invited people to come watch the session, I sometimes marveled at the fact that I was inviting a random person on the bus to come listen to a prophet of God. President Monson is truly inspired and called to this work. We knew that a big announcement was coming and we are excited to see how lowering the age will affect the mission. We have a new missionary in our mission this transfer and he is just great (Anziano Davids, being trained by Anziano Telaroli, I was sad to see Anz. Hughes return to England to finish his mission out.)

I have so many experiences that I want to share from this week, but just one is meeting with Tiziana. We met on the metro some time ago who was finally able to meet with us this week. As we spoke on the metro, I shared that this gospel helps us to find our purpose in life. She simply responded that that is something she is looking for right now. When we met this week, she told me the whole story. She had noticed me and saw that I was different, that I was so happy and, well, she said that I looked strange and she wanted to know what it was about me. When she saw my nametag, she thought she had her answer. However, she had been praying earnestly to for God to help her find her purpose and direction in life. After we met, she felt like she may have found her answer. I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers and I know that as He cares for each of us and I know that as we earnestly seek Him, He will giude us. (And P.S. we met in a park on the south side of Rome next to the Appian Way where Peter was crucified. I am bearing my testimony in the same place they have born theirs. I love my mission!)

Loves and prayers always,

Slla. Lovell

P.S. After reading emails, I think that this will be awesome for the missions. I felt like they are young and enthusiastic and will be just amazing. There will probably be a swarm of new missionaries, which is just going to be amazing. I know that we are guided by inspiration and that we have the same power to receive the revelation for our own lives. I invite each of you to take moment to see how they can make a difference in your life to feel more of the spirit in your lives.

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers, I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family and am grateful for each of you.

October 3rd, 2012 Update

I can hardly believe that I have been out for six months. I have had such an amazing time to learn so much. One of the greatest things I learned this week is that understanding comes before being understood. We met this last week with a young buddist as well as a man from India (which was so fun and reminded me of my great friend Sister Thulasidass from my district in the MTC). Both felt that there is something for them to learn and that would make a difference in their lives, but need to understood where they are now. I also had a great time talking with Ahkmed from our English course.

A slight wrench was thrown into our lives with a bit of a sciopero, which is when all Italians decide not to work for a certain amount of time. This was for the mezzi.

Georgia and Antonio have accepted the invitation to live the word of wisdom. It can sometimes be an intense lesson in Italy but they were joking the whole time. Georgia loves to eat healthily, as she actually used to be a chef for athletes. They drink wine and coffee with the occasional meal and will time will be able to quick that as well. She was not able to read the book of mormon, but is able to read the website and we are getting a recording for her to listen to.

Mary Louisa was touched by the idea repentence is a way to bring change into our life. She continues to read the Book of Mormon piano piano, but has a busy work schedule.

Rossana is a great talker and we work to keep a focus in our lessons because she always thinks of something else to offer us or another idea. We watched the restoration and she loved it.

 

Fernanda has a great desire to continue to come to church (less active) and help her mom and her grandmother.

We started doing more exchanges this past week, which has been interesting. However, with all of our investigators, etc. We are going to look at the next week and see how we can allow Slla. Heiner to stay home for the week, to basically merge our two companionships into one, except for opportunities when perhaps she can get a ride into church. We will switch off taking turns with exchanges and make our schedule together. There is a small change in our house as Slla. Wagoner will be exchanging places with Slla. Clark from Bari.

This week I spent time studying 2 Nefi 4 and really fell in love with the Psalm of Nefi. With so much strength that comes from our relationship with God and our abilty to feel of His presence in our lives. The word awake has such a powerful meaning in recognizing who we are, etc. and applies to so many people. The bishop in our ward this week has issued a challenge to all the members of the ward to read everyday for two weeks. He gave an amazing talk on how the scriptures, including the idea that in you are what you eat with your body, so it is with your spirit. This is true for our spirit, our relationships with others, etc. I also love the idea of the power of drop by drop of water creating a great hole in the stone. I would love to invite everyone to read more of the Book of Mormon this week. I know that it makes all of the difference in our lives. I have definately seen the changes in myself.

 

Life is great and I love you all! Keep smiling. :)

 

Sorella Lovell

September 26th, 2012 Update

Ciao a tutti!

Basically, everything in the gospel is about your heart. It is what makes the difference in every moment of the day. This last week in church, the subject was on sacrifice. Everytime that we sacrifice something it is a trade for something else. I have realized that I am already sacrificing my time, but there is something more and that is my heart.

Georgia has such a light spirit it was great to be able to share with her the Plan of Salvation. One of her greatest questions is why God allows catatrophes/evil in general to happen in the world. Knowing why we are here makes all of the difference. She felt strengthened when we bore our testimony of this life as a chance to come to learn and how important is is that we have a loving Heavenly father. I have to say it is one of my favorite lessons to teach. Her companion Antonio was there as well.
Janet loved the first lesson. She said that she had a lot of questions and we know that she will find them in reading the Book of Mormon. She had even asked some of her questions to her 13 year old daughter, Fernanda, and she was able to answer her. Her mom, Miriam, doesn't speak a lot of Italian, but we work it out.

Rosita Tapia is just blossoming. She has had issues with depression in the past, but is completely happy and full of sunshine. She is even sharing the gospel with her friends.
Marilou continues to have health issues with her knees and so is not able to come to church, but she is slowly read the book of mormon. We had a lesson on going to the temple that touched her heart. She loved it is and accepted the goal to prepare to go to the temple.
Last night we actually had a great lesson with Fratello D'angelo. His friend was there it became a pretty intense discussion of ideas, etc.. However, the entire feeling changed when we came to bearing our testimony that God is our Heavenly Father and that he can find the answer to all of his questions in the Book of Mormon. He completely changed and accepted a book of mormon and promised to read it. I am learning that a humble testimony is one of our most powerful ways to touch people's hearts. There is a strength that comes from quiet humility and I hope to gain more of it. That was one of the strongest feelins I have had of the spirit.

This last Saturday we had an awesome dance activity with our ward. There were so many cultures represented and it was filled with such a joy for life.

Also, I wanted to share some more thoughts from meeting with President Nelson. He said that some of the quickest ways to bring the spirit is through prayer and singing. Also, education is the difference between wishing to be able to help someone and being able to help someone.

Love and prayers,

Erica

P.S. Oh, by the way, the picture of the sweet senior missionaries from last week were a set of missionaries that met mom and dad at the training in the MTC and passed on a great hug from them. Also, Sorella Caramia served with Britt in the MTC. Britt had written me about her and I was so excited to serve in the same zone for her first transfer. We had to take a photo moment.

September 19th, 2012 Update

What an amazing Sunday. This last weekend was Stake Conference in Rome. We had the opportunity to be have Elder Nelson here as the main speaker. who also happens to be my companion's grandfather. His entire talk was focused on the role of parents to teach their children. The more I see, the more I realize that makes all of the difference.

We were able to have lunch with he and his wife after the conference and it was an amazing experience. As I walked by him after the meeting, I felt my body filled with such a strong feeling as the spirit bore testimony that this was a man of God. He was called of God and yet so humble and human. It was sweet to see him together with Sister Miles.

I know that this church and I am grateful for this time to serve a mission.

Here are some quick notes on the people we are teaching.

Georgia has such a sensitive spirit. We have only met a few times now, but everything has come so easily for her. She already has a testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith. In one of our last lessons, we invited her to be baptized. It brought an amazing spirit and she accepted immediately. She came to Stake conference this last week and loved it.

I also started talking with a woman, Miriam, and her 13 year old granddaughter, Fernanda, on the bus and it turned out that her grand daughter had joined the church in Peru, but was less active. We stopped by their home last night and Miriam and her daughter Janet really want to learn more about the gospel. It was great to see Fernanda excited to bear her testimony and share her testimony of the things she knows. I think she will be a great help for her family.

 

In my setting apart, I realized that I have been blessed to appreciate the cultures of those I serve. I have definately seen that and am grateful for it.

 

 

 

 

 

September 12, 2012 Update

Ciao a tutti,

This past week was zone conference and I am amazed yet again by how inspired my mission president and his wife are. This summer, Elder Holland visited our mission on vacation with his family. He stayed at the Villa with President Kelly and President Kelly asked him if there was one thing that he would share with the missionaries in Rome. His response was: learn to love rejection. We talked about how getting rejected means that you are doing something. My companion and I were blown in to open the sister companionship in this area. In a way it can be exciting to start from scratch, but it has been a learning experience for sure. Doing finding has led to some amazing experiences. 

      This week we really started to see our work get rolling. We have five new investigators. Georgia, her compagno, Antonio, and her friend Marialug, all come Capo Verde. As we met for our second lesson, Georgia said that she normally wouldn't let people into her home, but there was a happiness that she saw in us that she wanted. They came to church this week and I was taught how the Lord truly is able to use small and simple things to bring to pass his work.

    We also met with Rocky and his girlfriend Joanna for a first lesson. They are a young couple from the Phillipines. It was an amazing experience to share the story of the first vision and see how it touched them.

     For less-actives, we met with Fiametta and her compagno Manny. We invited them to progress together. Fiametta wants to be able to go to the temple and is working to achieve that. Manny has allowed the gospel to become more of an intellectual discussion. The gospel is truely something that has to be felt with the heart.

   Marilou was baptized some years ago and has health issues, which makes it difficult for her to come to church. We met with her and spoke of the power of prayer and encouraged her to pray and read her scriptures daily. We have seen so much that this is what makes all of the difference.

I love you all!

Sorella Lovell

Sept 5th, 2012 Update

Ciao tutti!

Greetings from the hills of Rome. My area is the west side of Rome, so
we definately have our fair share of hills. Though I have begun a new
adventure of public transportation. Our area is quite large and you
have to take public transportation everywhere. I think the record so
far for an appointment is 3 buses, the metro, and a tram, though going
through the countryside can be beautiful as well. Let's just say that
we have a lot of time to talk with a lot of people. The Vatican is
actually in my area, so while I haven't quite been able to speak with
the pope, we did contact someone who works in there. It was a bit
ironic, but they were really great to talk with.

When I say "we" it includes me and my new companion, Sorella Miles.
She has a lot of spunk and can sing a song from any word you say. We
have been doing a lot of finding, so it has come in handy. We actually
celebrated her one year mark last week. It is amazing how quickly time
flies.

  We came up with each other from the south to open up a new
companionship in Rome 1. Sorella Miles served here a couple months
ago, which has helped a lot as we had to get the work started from
stratch. Though there is a bit of a twist because another set of
sisters serves in the same ward, we have been added as an second
companionship. The members were all super excited to have a second set
of sisters.

We have been working alot with the members, new converts, and meno
attivi while we work to get the work started. It is still so amazing
each visit that we make to hear of their stories. Sorella Tapia is a
less active from Argentina (Small world!) who has started coming
back.. She lost her job some time ago and has to move. When we visited
her, I was amazed that she was so strong. She simply said that because
of her knowledge of the gospel it would all be alright.

The more that I serve my mission, the more I am amazed by the power to
bring a fount of peace that never leaves. I was reading in John 14
this morning and was struck by the description of Jesus Christ as the
bread of life. Sorella Shakir (an amazing woman from Egypt) said that
before she had everything that she needed, but her life felt empty.
Now, if she ever cries, they are only tears of joy. I am so grateful
for this gospel and the opportunity that I have to serve a mission.

Love you all!

Sorella Lovell

P.S. I'am going to try to be better about uploading fotos. Here we go:
Photos:
1. Sorella Goumba and her awesome daughter Marlyn
2. Sorella Rosita Tapia
3. Piazza del Popolo
4. Roma 1 Sorelle!!!
5. Catholic church that has a Baptismal Font for the Dead in the
Basement. Hard to believe, but it's true.
6. Radica family from Romania. The two children were just baptized this year.
7. Sogna - Sweetest handicapped woman who lives with her Italian
mother. They lived in England for a long time, so we spoke in English.
I have never been called Darling so many times in my life.
8. Happy 1 Year Birthday for Slla. Miles at McDonalds

 

 

 

 

August 29, 2012 Update

Saluti da Roma!

Writing now is a bit different hilltops of Rome. A part of me will always be in Taranto. It was rough to leave, but it exciting to get to a new area and get to work.

Rome. My area is part of Rome centro, but just to the west. It is such a diverse area. When talking to people, it has been an adventure and a more common question is "Where are you from?" I have thought of the missionaries from the MTC meet people from all over the world. Contacting people from India, Phillipines, Peru, etc. is amazing.
 Most of the families in Rome 1 are international, including a few American families. My second night here I was able to meet the Goumba family from Africa. They are quick to laugh and quick to love.

My companion is Sorella Miles. There are actually four sisters serving  in this ward and we all live togther. We are a new companionship in this ward, so we have the excitement of being blown in. We are starting our work from stratch, but have been busy meeting with new converts and less-active members. There are so many people to meet here. We know that as we do our part, we will see that hand of the Lord in our work.

Much love,

Erica

August 24, 2012 Update

Hey Everyone, my companion and I weren't able to do internet at all on Wednesday, but I just wanted to let you know that I have been transfered to Rome 1. I can hardly believe it! It was so hard to leave
those that I love so much in Taranto, but serving in Rome will definately be a different adventure.
I love you all!

August 8th, 2012 Update

Ciao a tutti,

Ok. It's been a bit rough the past few weeks. Training for my area has been an adventure. It has been tough at times to know how to continue the work forward with companion that is very different when the work itself has had to change because of the changing seasons. It seems that half the world on vacation. It seems that life seems to stop here until September. We did have a lesson yesterday where the brother of our potential investigator happened to be there. His wife is a member of the church and has been for years. There was a big question about the differences between the Catholic church and the LDS church. As we spoke of authority, this brother actually bore an amazing testimony on the power of priesthood blessings. There was a time when he was deathly ill and his nephew gave him a blessing. He said that he has never had such an amazing feeling. He knows that he is going to be baptized, but just doesn't know when.

Also, we have some great news! Lidia's other son, Stefano, has started to meet with the Anziani. He now has set a baptismal date! This would be such an amazing thing for them to be able to be united as a family. I really hope that he is able to receive the vision that comes with understanding who we are.

Much love,

Slla. Lovell

August 1, 2012 Update

Sister Lovell didn't have much time to write this week, but she did send this short note that I wanted to pass along...

I wish that I could write more, but have to run. I really wish that I could write and promise to have a great letter for next week. I love you all so much and am so amazed by how lucky I am to have such a family.

July 25th Update - Photo Day!

7/18/12 Update

Ciao Tutti,

First of all, I would like to introduce my new companion. Sorella Taylor hails from Magna, Utah. She has a strong love for others and looks for every opportunity to bring light to the lives of those around her. When we walk down the street, she loves to smile at everyone even for the moment that they are a part of her life. She is definately different from Sorella Teichert, so we are working out what we are do to work with each other to serve the people that we both care about so much.

Lidia continues to be an enthusiastic member of the ward. Her testimony of the restored gospel touches every aspect of her life. She quit smoking to be baptized and now encourages everyone close to her to do the same. She shares with more people than I know of her testimony and the blessings that she has received in her life. It is exciting to keep working with her. I can't wait for our lesson about temples. She had an immediate testimony of the temples and is already looking forward to going to the temple in Switzerland next year. On her kitchen wall already hangs a picture of a temple and I know that she looks at it often.

I learned this week that my ward here has the most youth of any in Italy. I have had some great training in having adventures with the youth from all of my neices and nephews, who I love and pray for often.

Love,

Sorella Lovell

P.S. This week we attended the wedding of one of my special friends in the ward, Simona D'Amuri. It was so sincere and she was radiant. It was such a beautiful experience.

7/12/2012 Update

Hi Everyone, :)

We have been looking forward to last night for some time and it all went off in the end. We had an evening that was blessed with music. The concert that was a great service for the people of Taranto and some of our investigators that we haven't seen for some time were able to come. I was grateful for the opportunity

It is amazing to see how quickly time flies. I can still remember my first day with Sorella Teichert. She has a great companion and we have learned a lot during our together. The past three months has seen experiences that I never would have thought possible. We are together so much that you can't help but come to care for one another. I have to be somewhat sad because we  are now in Bari for transfer day and Sister Teichert and I will no longer be serving together. She is headed to Catania, Sicily, where I know she will do great things. I will be staying to serve in my beloved city of Taranto for another transfer. It is a time to think of past lessons and the future opportunities.

Crazy Day. Got to run.
Love you all.

Erica

Baptism!

The greatest news of the week is the baptism of Lidia and Robert Kovacs. They were baptized this last Sunday. There are few words to describe the spirit of such a meeting. Their testimonies after their baptism were so sweet and genuine. Lidia's smile lit up the room and even Robert felt the difference. The members were a great support and were ready to welcome the new members into the ward.

Someone else very dear to my heart that I should have written about a long time ago is Fia. We have become fast friends and I always love to visit her. She is a less-active from Samoa. Her home is an oasis of the Islands and is filled with all that she brought with her when she moved to here. She has a great heart and we have seen many miracles in her returning to church. She has had a difficult life, but has such a testimony of the Book of Mormon and has given it as a gift to friends for years. I am so grateful for the opportunity to know her and look forward to seeing her again tomorrow morning. :)

As for me, I am still learning and growing every day. I can see the Father's hand in my life and feel of His love for me. With Him by my side, I can go forward in any venture He calls me to. It is realizing His strength is what sustains and supports each of His children.

I love you all so much,

Erica

Learning Lessons

Greetings from sunny Taranto. I wish that I was able to catch some of our sea breeze and send it to all of you, but this letter will have to do.

Lessons are part of every missionary experience and I have discovered that mine will blessed with the same experiences. The current lesson is that everyone has their ability to make decisions to accept Jesus Christ into their life. My role is to help them understand what decision they are making. However, I cannot make this decision without their agreement. My choice is to continue forward to share with as many people as possible the joy that waits for them. It is a lesson that all of us have to learn at some point or another. The balance is to continue loving each of the people no matter what they choose. Sorella Teichert's great strength helps me to continue forward. I am very grateful to have her with me. We are balance for one another as well and are a great fit. Together the power of our faith can do great things. We have been blessed to see many miracles in our work and continue forward together.

This past week, Lidia Kovacs and her son Robert passed their baptismal interview. It was through a miracle that we found them just over a month ago and they are so excited for their baptism. We met Robert on the street. He was very excited to talk with us and we asked if we could stop by his home sometime to meet his mother. He said that we could come right then. The Lord truly guides us to those who are prepared. Lidia has studied with other religions for over twelve years and recognized very quickly that this is "the right road." They have both been blessed from the knowledge of the received gospel and I am grateful that they have the knowledge of their relationship with Jesus Christ. He can help them in ways beyond what I ever could. All that is left is the final details of their baptism. Their story is truly a miracle.

Thank you all for your support.

Vi abbraccio,

Sorella Erica Lovell

Ciao a Tutti

Summer has arrived in full glory. I now fully understand why Italians desire nothing more than to eat and stay at home from 1-4.

Our most exciting news of the weeks it the Kovacs Family. Through a miracle we met this family a little over two weeks ago. As of yesterday, the entire family has set their baptism date for July 1st. The mother, Lidia, and her two sons live in difficult living conditions. Yet the light brought to their home through the Book of Mormon continues to shine brighter in Lidia's eyes every day. She shares her testimony with everyone she knows. Through the strength of her faith, she no longer fears for the future. It has been a beautiful experience to observe the change in her very being. Her son Robert, who is 10 years old, has been the shining ray in their family. He is quick to serve those who stand in need and now considers us family.

Sunday we ate with the Fabbiano family. After eating, it turned into a sort of jam session. Who knew that Italians could play the harmonica? Giuseppe, the father, played in a way that reminded me of my grandpa Tew. Later that evening we sang for an event to raise money for the earthquake victims in the north. Good times had by all.

As for me, each day brings the opportunity to see the beauty of Heavenly Father's love for each of His children.

Thank you for all of your prayers.

Love,

Slla. Lovell

Fishers of...Frogs?

Dear Everyone,

Time is short, but I just passed one of the greatest days of my life. We came to Statte to pass P-Day with the elders here Elder Badger and Elder Embree. They had planned for us to have a barbeque at a campground and then go fishing for frogs. Both of these wonderful Elders took to heart the maxim to work hard and play hard. Four of the young adults from our ward came with Sister Teichert and I on the bus to arrive in Statte. We then enjoyed our barbeque to be followed by the elders and other boys taking on the frogs in the nearby river. They made fishing poles from long pieces of cane, string, and thumb tacks. Their plan was to use a type of cheese for bait. Sister Teichert and I went with the girls further down the river. Lo and behold! We caught two frogs with our bare hands, a bag, and a small cup. Shortly after our initial success, the band of fishers passed along the opposite bank. However, the fishing idea had not found success. They quickly changed tatics and strapped whatever sharp utinsels available to the end of the cane poles (ie. one cooking knife, butter knifes, and forks). Ironically, our current district leader, Elder Sloan, gave a district training a few weeks ago that the time has come to become hunters, not fishers of men. Instead of simply sitting and waiting for the fish to bite, we must follow the direction of the "tracks", or guidance of the Holy Ghost. Today, all of our elders took this training to heart. Unfortunately for the frogs, their methods were...a bit less humane then ours. In the end, we fulfilled the first of our district goals, decided by Elder Badger: 5 frogs. First objective has been accomplished. As all of our district will remain here in Taranto for the next transfer, we are prepared to work together to fulfill the others that await our efforts. They may lead to other memories than six young men stalking palm-sized frogs with home made spears fringed with an assortment of kitchen utinsels, yet I look forward to the great times yet to come.

Sorella Lovell

Casting Nets

One thought on something I learned this morning. Jesus planned for Peter to accomplish great things and trained him accordingly. When the fishers returned with empty nets, Jesus told them to go out to the deep waters and told them exactly where to cast their nets. They followed his guidance exactly and the boats started to sink because of the size of the catch. So it can be with us as missionaries, fishers of men. We have been called to go out to the deep waters I have been blessed to have several beautiful experiences during my time in Italy. My boat was under construction, but now is ready to set sail. I have already witnessed multiple miracles through my willingness to trust the direction of the Holy Ghost to leave the safety of the shore and venture into the deep waters.

I am so busy teaching that we have never set aside time to do finding on the street, much less going door to door. I have been guided to the people who Heavenly Father specifically places in my path because in His grand plan I was trusted to bring the light of the gospel to their lives. I have the companion who will be my support and mentor as I obtain the vision of all that I can truly accomplish during my limited time here. There is so much joy in our service. Even as we run around our house because there is so little time, our hearts of full and we glory in our opportunity to act as instruments in the hands of the Lord to bring about the full knowledge of the blessings He desires for each and every of His children. I have gained a deeper appreciation of those blessings as I recognize the contrasts.

Lovely Taranto

La vita italiana

Today I thought to share a bit more of the typical day my life here.

First off, my companion. Sorella Teichert hails from the proud state of Wyoming where she grew up the oldest of six children. She can't remember how old she was when she first learned how to ride a horse and has spent every summer helping out on the family ranch. Before the mission, she was studying genetics with a minor in international development at BYU and is one year away from graduating. I couldn't ask for a better companion and consider myself lucky to serve with her.

The sun rises well before six and we can hear the cars of those leaving for work all morning long. I smile when I hear them honking, as the horn simply acts an extension of the Italian persona. They are quick to use it and never want to be left out if someone else starts using his or hers.

When we leave in the morning, the women have their small carts for doing their shopping at the various small stores (There is one store outside of town about the size of Walmart call Auchan, but the Italians consider it exhausting to shop there). We have many friends that we pass each day who have known generations of sister missionaries. They are very kind and never miss the chance to say hello. Each morning we pass the men's club, a group of older gentlemen who sit in the park and talk all morning..afternoon..whenever. There is also a man who like to sit by himself and always bring leftover pasta for the stray dogs, especially the large dog that my predecessors named Samson.

From one to four, PRANZO. The entire city shuts down for lunch. We are not allowed to make calls or visits during this time outside of a scheduled lunch visit, so we return to our apartment to study. We often see all of the children heading home to have lunch with their families.

Life begins again slowly in the afternoon. I've learned not to count on any store being open until around five or five-thirty. We pass the afternoon/evening teaching, attending the Relief Society Activity or Young Women Activity, or teaching English courses.

The sun sets early here. Yet as we live across from the PalaMazzola (the basketball/volleyball stadium), we can often here the shouting roars of the crowd at every exciting moment of the match.

Today we wandered the streets of Old Taranto, were regaled stories of how the Greeks settled Taranto in 706 B.C., and made friends with the toothless Carmella, who doesn't read or write, but gave me some great insights on how to improve my skills at the Italian style of crocheting. It brought back many memories of living in Siena: narrow streets, tall palazzi, and university students heading to class in various parts of the city. Sorella and I continued the city's tradition of putting a lock with our names on the Ponte Girevole, signifying that a part of our hearts will always remain here in Taranto.

I can hardly believe that I have almost lived a month in this beautiful city. I can't wait to see what opportunities and experiences the next month will bring, much less the next sixteen months.

Until next time,

Sorella Lovell

Buona Festa!

As hard as it may be to believe, Taranto is gearing up to celebrate another holiday tomorrow. I think I have discovered why they have to attend school Monday-Saturday: They simply wanted to be able to pick a different day off every week. Since my arrival, there has been a major holiday every week. The other night there were even fireworks and we have no idea why. Italians simply enjoy a good party.  

Last week, we arranged our first meeting with a woman that Slla. Teichert contacted on the street some weeks ago. Emi has left me amazed everytime that we meet. Whenever we read a scripture, she instantly responds to the question that we never asked of what we can learn from this scripture. All I can say is that there are those who lead themselves to the truth because of the immensity of their faith. Our task is simply to teach the information that she needs to learn and she accepts it as though she had always known it. I feel humbled to have the opportunity to know the power of her complete faith in the love and miracles of Heavenly Father. We have continued to meet often with her and her family. It has been an amazing experience.  

Because of my companion's sister's departure to Jordan this weekend, we called our families last Sunday. It was a special experience to reunite with a few of those who are so dear to my heart. Their love touched my heart in a way that nothing else ever will. I feel very blessed for my family. Even in the short time that I have spent away from them, our memories together have become even sweeter. Yet I revel in the opportunity that is now presented me to strengthen families in a society that seems determined to fight against them.  

I hope this letter finds you well in whatever you are doing. 

Sorella Lovell